"Our aircraft was never in Iranian airspace. It was always flying in international air space. The recognized limit is 12 nautical miles off the coast and we never entered the 12 nautical mile limit," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in responding to questions from reporters after CNN reported the incident.

Little said the United States believed this was the first time an unmanned aircraft was shot at by the Iranians in international waters over the Gulf. In December of 2011, a U.S. surveillance drone crashed in eastern Iran. Iranians claimed to have shot it down, and created a toy model of the drone to celebrate its capture.

Little stopped short of calling the incident an act of war although the Pentagon was concerned.

Two U.S. officials explained the jets were part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps force, which has been more confrontational than regular Iranian military forces.

At least two bursts of gunfire came from the Su-25s' cannons. The drone started to move away but the Iranian aircraft chased it, doing aerial loops around it before breaking away and returning to Iran.

The Obama administration did not disclose the incident before the presidential election, but three senior officials confirmed the details to CNN on Thursday. They declined to be identified because of sensitive intelligence matters surrounding the matter.

The drone's still and video cameras captured the incident showing two Su-25s approaching the Predator and firing onboard guns.

The Iranian pilots continued to fire shots that went beneath the Predator but were never successful in hitting it, according to the officials.

U.S. military intelligence analysts are still not sure if the Iranian pilots simply were unable to hit the drone due to lack of combat skill, or whether they deliberately were missing and had no intention of bringing it down.

But as one of the officials said, "it doesn't matter, they fired on us."

Little said the United States has to assume Iran was trying to bring down the Predator.

The United States protested the incident but had not heard back from Iran.

soundoff(3,883 Responses)

Why not rouge? Wouldn't they be prettier? Unless you mean the Khmer Rouge.... and then no.

November 8, 2012 at 11:17 pm |

Josh

Yes Iran is such a rogue nation. They overthrew our government in 1953. They often practice war drills off our coasts, violate our airspace, and have military bases set up in our backyard after they invaded another country. Wait......that's what the US has done. We overthrew the Iranian government in 1953 and installed a brutal dictator. We practice war drills near Iran. We have military bases set up from invading two other nations, routinely violate Iranian airspace, and bomb multiple countries with drones. Who's the rogue nation?

II wonder what they would do here if Iran flew drones 16 miles from our shores oh thats right it would be shot down in a sec. I dont feel sorry for warmongers on both sides The wanna play war watch gas go up 10 a gallon then will all be screwed. I dont think they could take iran as quick as they did the other 4-5 places over there which is why they just impose sanctions... As soon as they do gas will be be like gold and will shut us down completely in a second end of the world is really starting to look possible

lol, US has more than enough oil to last until you have long since died... it would just mean that you sissy pansies would have drill it. also in case you forgot, iraq was sanctioned for many years as well. believe me iran would fall as quick if not quicker.

i agree that iran wud take a couple of days to finish off but it would still cost us money that we dont have .. it would be a useless war...like iraq

November 8, 2012 at 11:40 pm |

lol

II'M glad your hopeful and confident Maybe they will fall faster I have my doubt but even if they do gas will go up. It would not matter if we had all the gas in the world it would still go up and I dont see this economy taking the hit. 8-10 a gallon gas would shut everything down. We cannot continue to pay to police the world it just cant be done.

November 8, 2012 at 11:50 pm |

Mike from Calgary

Excellent point ... and don't forget that a US spy drone crash landed in Iran in December 2011 and the US begged Iran for its return (rather than have the Soviets reverse engineer the stealth technology). Oh yeah that plane that landed in Iran was in international air space and nowhere near Iran too!!!

Israel was not involved in the first Iraq war even though Saddam fired Scuds at them. They advised against the second Iraq war as they saw Saddam as a limited threat by that time. They had nothing to do with Afghanistan at all. Other than repeating lies, what are you talking about? American troops have never fought a war "for the Zionists". Even Lebanon was about the Cold War for the U.S.

Who cares about Israel/U.S relations in the 21st century? I'm much more concerned with getting our people in the states jobs and health-care preventive care than worrying about a endless warzone iability. I'm tired of Americans paying and dying for wars that are with questionable motives and have very little positives to them and definitely aren't worth the cost on the poor here in our own country.

OMFG, Iranian pilots cannot even hit a still target? Ok its not exactly sitting still but moving like 350 mph. We always have known no one in the world can come close to U.S. pilots in terms of skills. Even the Russians in Korea 10:1 and Vietnam though there weren't many Russians in the war. The 5th Fleet know what they're doing out there. They have to assess the capability of the enemy. Mr. President, now is the time to tightened the snoose on Iran. Next time a drone is out there and Iranian air force is launch have a couple super hornets or better yet the stealth fighter already in the area shadow the drone with shoot to kill order.

Whatever dude... I though the US was weening itself off of fossil fuels? Are suggesting that it isn't? You obviously have no idea about the economivcs of supply and demand either. No one would buy their oil if it shot up in price. Crude oil is cheap anyways, it is the refineries RIGHT HERE ARE HOME IN THE US who price gouge us – you dolt!

November 8, 2012 at 10:38 pm |

Ron Paul

I'm in favor of a full employment act—for the military. Let's wipe the floor with Iran.

Axis of evil doer Zionists devils are at again to start another war to return their campaign money donors favor!? What are we doing sticking our nose into other countries affairs by flying spy drone within 16 miles of their borders!? What would we do if an Iranians or any other country had drones flying 16 miles from our border!? This is ridiculous the least!?

We are just over-reacting to situation. It's the media that exaggerated everything. Iran is deveopling nuclear technology. We are all scared. Imagine what they think of us. With our nation dropping an atom bomb on our enemies. Then we attempt survalience. If they were spying on us i can only imagine what we would do

CNN did not withhold. "The Obama administration did not disclose the incident before the presidential election, but three senior officials confirmed the details to CNN on Thursday. They declined to be identified because of sensitive intelligence matters surrounding the matter." If these guys did not "leak" this to CNN, we would never know.
I expect more info will be "leaked" to CNN re Benghazi. The truth will be told, except one can imagine what Harry Reid will instruct his senate to do, nada!!

Axis of evil doer Zionists devils are at again to start another war to return their campaign money doners favor!? What are we doing sticking our noise into other countries affairs by flying spy drone within 16 miles of their borders!? What would we do if an Iranians or any other country had drones flying 16 miles from our border!? This is ridiculous the least!?

We just had a Russian Nuclear sub just off the east coast, outside of our borders just like this and we didn't do anything. You do realize that if we are in international airspace, we are completely withing international law. Quit crying.

love the media bias this happened 7 days ago and we are hearing about it now because the media didn't want to take the election they handed to obama away. wake up people this is pure propaganda to get us rilled up for war this president will not defned isreal he's lieing to them.

The lack of any gray matter inside the skull cavity of the Republican Party members never ceases to amaze me. Let's turn back the clock 50 years and take a plan from another great republican Barry Goldwater. For their act of aggression against a United States drone, the USA should just bomb Iran than blacktop it! GRAND IDEA!

That's IT!!! These MUZZIES have gone TOO far!!!!
They personally attacked us,now they must PAY.Lets send in SEAL team six,Black-OP's and G.I. Joe!!!
We must stop them before they have a chance to use _their Nukes to blow-up our beautiful GOD-given country,US!! YAY

That's IT!!! These MUZZIES have gone TOO far!!!!
They personally attacked us,now they must PAY.Lets send in SEAL team six,Black-OP's and G.I. Joe!!!
We must stop them before they have a chance to use _their Nukes to blow-up our beautiful GOD-given country,US

Yes, the Indians were here when the white man got here. They had moved in and taken the land from the people that were here before them. That has been happening throughout history all over the world. I don't know if that is good or not, but I am tired of the, "Peaceful natives at one with nature crap." They were tribal groups killing each other to protect or take territory. The killed each other, they took each other as slaves, and they sacrificed each other, just like every other tribal society in the world throug out history.

November 8, 2012 at 11:05 pm |

Jay D.

Yes, the Indians were here when the white man got here. They had moved in and taken the land from the people that were here before them. That has been happening throughout history all over the world. I don't know if that is good or not, but I am tired of the, "Peaceful natives at one with nature crap." They were tribal groups killing each other to protect or take territory. The killed each other, they took each other as slaves, and they sacrificed each other, just like every other tribal society in the world throug out history. There is and always has been conflict for power and resources. Igoring that fact will not make it not happen. The real world is a nasty place.

Case in point. Why didn't Obama immediately pull troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. When he got the full picture as President he realized that it just wasn't that simple or easy.

November 8, 2012 at 11:10 pm |

BigGuyWithAGrenadeLauncher

That's IT!!! These MUZZIES have gone TOO far!!!!

They personally attacked us,now they must PAY.Lets send in SEAL team six,Black-OP's and G.I. Joe!!!

We must stop them before they have a chance to use _their Nukes to blow-up our beautiful GOD-given country,USA

agreed to all of what you said..but, instead of saying "let us send SEALS bla bla" why dont you go do the act yourself and risk your life. What makes you think you could comment on this from the safety of your home while other Americans risk their life to protect you?

If one gets shot down it wouldn't surprise me if the next generation drone, the X-47B, comes with an air-to-air missile option. To my knowledge, every single time the U.S. lost some conflict, adjustments were made to help ensure it doesn't happen again. Maybe the Iranians ought to rethink their strategy, if they even have one.

Iran Air Flight 655 was a civilian jet airliner shot down by U.S. missiles on 3 July 1988 and killed 300 passengers and told everyone that it looked like a fighter jet... So did Iran start a War because of that? NO and we even awarded the captain with a Medal of HONOR!!! wake up people stop falling for this propeganda...

Iranian aggression in the Persian gulf? Iran can and should be able to do whatever they want in their country and within their air space. It is those who put drones in another's airspace that are being aggressive! It's a joke to call actions by Iran to protect it's sovereignty aggression. This is Nonesense.

To all falling for the international airspace crapamondo.it I'd a lie .13 miles is the limit so that leaves 3 miles.with drone doing 350,odd mph .3 miles buffer of argument does not come into it.it was not in international waters .it was being used for no good there and thus a serious threat

ArThe drone was not in Iran airspace. It was in international airspace which belongs to no specific country. They had no right to shoot at it. Its an act of war. But since they are on american welfare system, so anything goes.

I agree with you. If Israel strikes and we aren't mobilized, that will allow enough time to cause a full blown regional conflict. Obama isn't going to though. He doesn't even seem to care about the sequestration on the military.

Joe, would we alllow an unmanned drone 20 miles off of our coast in "international waters"?

November 8, 2012 at 10:20 pm |

caesarbc

What are you braniacs tarded? We are needlessly provoking war by sending these carrots into the sky. I don't care if it's "international" or not. We must be super hard up for cash to want to reproduce WWII.

Iran is irrelevant with or without a nuke? What the heck are you saying? You should run for office...I'm sure they won't ever use their nukes on our "friends" in the middle east or even perhaps a suitcase nuke here in your backyard.

The aircraft flown by the Iranian pilots normally carries enough armaments to destroy a drone without much effort. The incident was just an exhibition for the allies showing potential Iranian capabilities

The SU-25 is a close ground support aircraft. It is designed and the pilots are trained to hit targets on the ground.
Hitting a moving target with a 30mm cannon from a jet aircraft takes a huge amount of training and practice.

The fact is that most of these countries buy the equipment but spend very little time or expense training.

They were as likely to hit the drone as they were to hit each other.

Was in a Latin country years back, won't say which one, when they got 4 jets for their air force. They didn't want to burn the fuel to train but when the President came to inspect they launched all four for a fly over and two of them managed to run into each other.

We have the best military in the world because we have the best equipment and the best training. At least we do for now.

Mr. Obama will certainly be stern with Iran, and probably send them a fruitcake (no, I don't mean Biden). That will teach those meany Iranians! Nah... he wouldn't do that. He'll just apologize profusely while bending over for the ayatollahs.

Drone of Tonkin incident?
BREAKING: Innocent little U.S. drone fired upon by an Iranian jet over waters We consider to be international.
We've notified its next of kin.
For context, at this distance it would be akin to Iran flying a drone over the water between Los Angeles and Catalina Island.

Pretty lame attempt to be funny with a mix of snooty. Fail. The Iranians will keep pushing the limits with the free world, and then get what they are asking for. The only countries that really support Iran are what...Syria and Russia. Good luck. And, just to satisfy all of the conspiracy thinkers who say the USA goes to war for resources...since we will be blamed, this time we SHOULD take all of Irans oil after the 72 hours it takes to fully control their country. All hands raised for those who want gas prices in the USA to be 30 cents a gallon! Keep pushing it Ayatollah and Mahmoud, PLEASE.

Let's get one thing straight. Iranian Government does not care about its own people. Do you expect them to react to the US with any logical international norm? I know. I was born there. and lived there for two decades.

The Government wants a War so no matter they flew 16 Miles away or even within their border, American goverment will go for it if you carefully Study they have Plans to Attack Iran at least 10 years back, now finding reasons to attack that is all

You might want to consider that in the last 100 years, ALL four drafts were started by Democrat presidents... not to mention the many millions of collateral damage inflicted in innocent people under Democrat regimes.

A big to do about nothing. If Cuba sent a drone on a 'routine maritime surveillance' mission within 16 miles of the US, what do you honestly think we would do? Exactly, we'd fire on it too, if only to let them know we were aware of its existence. It could have easily been shot down by the Iranians but they chose not to provoke anymore than necessary.

President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta were notified of the incident early that morning, the Pentagon said. The White House would not comment on the incident, but a senior administration official confirmed to NBC News that Obama was told the day of the incident.

The attach was at 4:50 AM and the president was notified early that morning.

Does anyone else find it curious that the President knew all about an attach on a drone almost the minute it happened but didn't seem to know what was going on when a consulate was attached?

I guess we have to give him credit. He kept the lid on it long enough to win the election. It can be buried along with the 4 guys who called for help that was available and never go it.

It would be really great if the GOP / GOTP had not held fast to their Norquist pledge and worked in good faith on a budget in the stu .. pid committee. They were more interested in preserving the Bush tax cuts for the rich than providing a viable defense for the Country. They are back peddling now ... but they have reaped what they have sown.

Obama was probably at a fundraiser an didn't want to be bothered so they prepared a report of the incident for the next day's security briefing....oh, that's right....Obama doesn't attend those. Either that or our so-called Commander-in-Chief was in the situation room (again) peeing his pants not knowing what to do. Our Navy has two carrier groups in the area. Why not scramble a couple of F/A 18 Super Hornets? Even if they didn't engage the Iranians, at least it would look like we weren't a bunch of wimps.

It's easy for an armchair general-wannabe to comment and criticize. If he let the news out before the election, then the GOP will accuse him of making nothing out of a big thing just to look commander-in-chief. If he keep it quiet, then this armchair general criticize him for not taking care of it. There is no pleasing the opposition, when they hate, they have all reasons to criticize. The only good thing is he is in command, yes, he takes all the unreasonable abuses from the good-of-nothing, but he is in command, they are just outsiders waiting in vain for their chance of power, which...unfortunately did not come this cycle either. It takes a mins of steel to multi-task, managing this incident and still campaigning, and looking cool like nothing important happen. You wannabes will never touch his heel, let alone criticizing. Go wait in line for 2016.

CNN, don't be knee-jerk reactive. The Su-25 Stormovik is a ground attack aircraft, and the export version is even less capable. Aside from defensive air-to-air missiles, it just isn't configured for air combat, even if it means shooting at a slow-moving drone. The Iranians are sending a message 'we just don't care. See? This is how much we don't care about your eyes in the sky. We could've scrambled our fast movers, but instead we sent our flying tanks after it. That's how much of a threat we perceive you to be.If we really wanted to, we could've seized control of it and landed the darned thing..."

I am sure this most transparent and open administration told us all about this act of war against the US just as soon as they knew about it. I have equal confidence we will learn all about Obama selling out to the Russians now that he has more flexibility.The fools who re-elected this administration have no idea what they have done. Or do they?

He said, She said, who do we believe??? The US & Israel are trying to get the people of the US to back a pre-emtive strike against Iran, no matter what excuse they have to use, LOL I'd thing the US would be a little more worried about Pakistan with their 'nukes' also, but I guess they're not against Israel so it doesn't matter, eh??

its a shame that most Americans are uninformed, uneducated and discourteous. A president deserves respect, but what I see in these comments is pure hatred. I am not sure where the hatred stems from, perhaps its because the president is Black, or because you guys just want to vent your spleens, But Barack Obama is POTUS! and the earlier you come to terms with it the better!!

really? I think we are done with you now Miguel! Now you need to go back to your country...

November 8, 2012 at 10:07 pm |

MORTON

Right! Obama was elected and then re-elected because America is racist. Those of you so supportive of an European style socialist state here at home are really incredible. Well, you got your four more years. Enjoy it!

Once the oil runs out in the gulf (or the idea becomes mainstream) the markets are gonna panic worst than 2008 and the real Great Depression. The facts are clear and if we keep playing chicken with mother nature it's obvious who will win.

Everyone go check out the nearest metro area around you from a bird's eye view and you will see that there is a disease called humanity growing faster and faster and the resources are being depleted at an equivalent rate.

b b but, they must have weapons of mass destruction!! I know, Fox News said so!!
When are we gonna wise up, our deficit is caused by our war machine. Do the math.

Let the rich republicans and evangelicals kids fight this war.

Did my tour of duty for this country. Drafted. 82nd Airborne in Nam Lt .1st class. For what??

I look at my picture of many year ago, crisp air force uniform in front of the flag.
Now, when I hear the the star spangled banner or pledge of allegiance, i won't even stand up.
I love my country, but hate what it has become.

I'm old, YOU YOUNG KIDS, STAND UP AND FIGHT!!! We did it in the 60's and won.

Don't let my grand kids die in a senseless war.

If you wish to criticize this post, give your military RANK and POST!

Otherwise, armchair warrior comments are worth about what I just flushed down the toilet.
LT 1st Cl. J

Very soon Obama will be tested has a leader trust me it's coming sooner then you think,
My prediction not good for us. This what you get for being foolish ! And know I'm serious I'm right over 95 percent of the time.

God save us.... The reason why Iran was shooting at the drone is because we are using US drones to kill innocent civilians. An interesting law recently passed by the US claims that any male over the age of 18 killed by predator drones is considered a terrorist, therefore decreasing civilian casualties. You realize we are waging war on a nation that lives out of huts and barely has the technology to provide their citizens with drinking water.... This isn't war it is genocide, God save us.

Iran is not a country living out of huts lol. If you go to remote villages you may see some 3rd world quality living conditins, but other then that, Iran is just like any other modern country except for the religious Regime. They have towers, flat screen tvs etc. Last time I visited I stayed in a very fancy apartment. They do have alot of old cars though. Anyway, hope you learn that Iran is not anywhere close to Afghanistan.

We ( America) Pokes its nose in every nation and issue and we are always at war .. that is why every time some one's reveng kills our innocent americans ..... American Govt must stop the first act of violence and take care of its own issues.

Do you really not know? You should be ashamed of your stupidity. You don't think Iran can and will project nukes beyond its borders soon?

November 8, 2012 at 9:58 pm |

Haha Ha Ha haaa

How old are you? Do you know how many service men and women we have stationed all over the world that need eyes in the sky? Do you know that the world is small and the more we know, no matter how far away, helps our future become that much safer?

November 8, 2012 at 10:00 pm |

Matt

im 21 years old. and i have direct, close family that has been in afghanistan and iraq. in fact, he was injured in combat by a road bomb. being stationed around the world isnt keeping us safe. being here and focusing on our problems and using war money for better ways to have better national defense would be better

No it won't... the globalist takeover will happen way before that... and they'll be where you are too.. hahaha..

November 8, 2012 at 10:43 pm |

W8a2nd

From Wikipedia False Flag (next?) The replacement of Iran's Anglo-Persian Oil Company with five American oil companies and the 1953 Iranian coup d'état was the consequence of the U.S. and British-orchestrated false flag operation, Operation Ajax. Operation Ajax used political intrigue, propaganda, and agreements with Qashqai tribal leaders to depose the democratically elected leader of Iran, Mohammed Mosaddeq. Information regarding the CIA-sponsored coup d'etat has been largely declassified and is available in the CIA archives.

Does anyone really think the Iranians are going to use nukes? Really?? Their country would be turned into a parking lot in about an hour. If you are stupid enough to start a war with these people, which is what they are not afraid of (can you say Iraq x 100) then you will deserve what you get. A long drawn out war that will kill tens of thousands of Americans and others for basically nothing. Sure the Israelis should be nervous but they need to look at why they are so hated in the region. Does anyone really think the Russians or Chines are going to stand for an attack on Iran? US and Israel against them and the middle east!! Good luck with that. Suck up your pride, tell the Israelis to do the same and get them all together and make a real peace deal. Hard diplomacy and major concessions is the only way to avert WWIII in the middle east. America needs to start building bridges fast and Obama can do it without Congress. Who gives a damn if it isn't your normal muscle flexing bravado. You guys can't afford that any longer and it will ruin your once great country. Change now or suffer the dire consequences. We have bigger problems to tackle in the world than worrying about this BS.

We would probably shoot a drone down if it was 16 miles off the coast of our country...so why is it so wrong for them to shoot at ours near THEIR COUNTRY. the golden rule applies to gov'ts too. double standards. this should be embarassing to us. instead people think we should bomb them??!! That drone being there is invading iran. im sick of the militeristic culture of this country. were all humans and we are no better than they are for any reason. they dont hate us because we are "free". they hate us because we constantly try to control them through our corrupt money hungry politicians. people get so fooled by these stories that make us out to be the victim. and no, they are not a threat. its a bold statement i know, but if they want nukes, then they have the right to build nukes. we have them along with many other countries. however with that, if we spent half the money we spend on missions like this and wars on actual TRUE DEFENSE spending, we should not have to worry about being attacked or nuked. we have problems in THIS COUNTRY, lets focus on them. and also, if for some reason iran decided to attack us without us being over there provoking it. then at that point yes, we would have a justifiable reason to take action. and please, if you disagree, try using logical reasoning instead of insult. many use insult as a way of arguing, that just shows weakness and no one will take you seriously.

As the article states, 12 miles off the coast is considered international waters. If somebody had aircraft there we would not shoot at it until it broke that restriction. That's not to say we wouldn't have scrambled fighters watching the every move, but shots are certainly not necessary until you break through. I don't understand why you are so upset?

my bad. i think i read somewhere 16. im not upset, just frustrated by some peoples reactions to this. just just voicing my opinion on the incident. but even so, like i said international or not (which i think is an excuse to make it sound bad on iran's part), the drone shouldn't be that close. the drone should be patrolling our territory 12 miles from our coast. afterall, they do call it DEFENSE spending...

November 8, 2012 at 10:03 pm |

Matt

and i disagree, i think we would shoot down a foriegn drone if it were that close to our borders.

November 8, 2012 at 10:06 pm |

Bobby J.

I hear ya, Matt. We definitely would attack if someone were that close to our borders.

Bobby,
You are absolutely wrong. The russians have been flying recon missions with bomber aircraft off the US coast for decades, usually enroute between cuba and russia. We launch fighters to identify them and have never shot one down, even when they did fly over our territory. The US and most of the world recognize the 12 mile limit.

November 8, 2012 at 10:32 pm |

Matt

do you have proof of this?

November 8, 2012 at 10:50 pm |

bob

What kind of proof would you like? And to what end? But I did fly recon in the air force for twenty years.

November 8, 2012 at 11:07 pm |

soundr

Your statements are bold indeed, and very naive. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, with a record of plots and actual attacks throughout the world, from Buenos Aires to Lebanon and the US (see plot to kill Saudi ambassador in US soil). No other county with nuclear capabilities has ever threatened to wipe out another nation of the face of the earth as Iran has repeatedly threatened Israel. Yes, we are all humans and americans are no better than anybody else. But to conclude that everybody can have a nuke is insane. NO, the Iranian REGIME cannot threaten other people with annihilation. No, they do not have the right to have a nuclear weapon.

odumbo definitely did not want to bring this to the public eye so close to the election, forget October surprise, this could have been the November surprise, and his lack of action during an act of war certainly speaks volumes to the man we just elected.

If I were president and a country full of knuckleheads fired on our drone while in international waters, I'd rain down about a dozen unarmed cruise missiles on their capital. The next time, they'd be armed.

No worries obama fans you got him, good luck! Why did we not know about this immediately? Oh, that is right he did not want this disclosed before election. ..not someone from Chi. town. Well, he is part of the Muslim Brotherhood and he did not want to disturb his friends..oh he is not Muslim only schooled in Indonesia a hot bed for Islam.

Well, America, even those that voted for this guy will see and will be sorrowful, but I doubt it. They will find justification for this guy, of course.

Hey a**hole what part of international waters do you not understand???? Stop being an apologist for our enemies. Oh that's right you demonrats only think America is the bad guys!! I'll remember that when the muslim brotherhood is slitting your throat and I have to come save your a**. Sheesh when will you stupid idiot demonrats wake up???

I wonder how the US would react if Iran (or any other country) was flying "unmanned" military drones in international waters, 13 nautical miles away from Manhattan, Washington or Los Angeles. Would the US airforce not send out jet fighters to "buzz" the impending intruder, if not to destroy it?

It happens all the time in various parts of the world. An example is that the Russians and the US play cat and mouse off the coast of Alaska. With subs, sattelights, innocent looking fishing boats and other electronic survailence techniques, they watch the US too.

No kidding kovic. We been flying these things around spying and shooting / bombing people with them and we are supposed to be surprised that when a pilot ran across one of these little unmanned suckers he made a run at it? Mind you, no one is inside this thing, basically a flying tin can the other pilot took a couple pot shots at.

You sound like a democrat because you write as if you didnt know a Russian nuclear sub was trolling less than 25 miles off the usa's eastern seaboard last week. Anyway, obama is commander and chief. iI is his drone. its none of my business if its shot down. Call me old fashion.

really, obama was shooting "hoop" while sandy vics suffered? your an idiot...sorry your "nominee" lost but obama was far from shooting hoop as you say, even your own party acknowledged he did a great job in response to it....get off your bitter horse and move to canada

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.